See Spain Differently in 2026

So delighted to meet representatives of Spain Tourism at a breakfast this morning at Paripe Spanish Tapas Bar, Sydney. 

We talked about areas including Galicia and Basque Country, as well as Malaga, Catalunya, Andalucia,  Madrid and, of course, Barcelona, where the tallest tower of the basilica of Sagrada Familia is nearing completion. (The recent addition of part of a cross to the tower in the ongoing works has now made Sagrada the tallest church in the world.)

Slow travel is trending on Spain's tourism menu for 2026 and, having enjoyed Seville and Zaragoza on an unplanned visit in June this year, I'm totally inspired to return to experience more sides of Spain. 

Think wandering through medieval streets and artisan quarters, eating with local producers and discovering regional flavours. Also staying longer to participate in workshops, traditions and cultural rituals, explore Spain's stunning National parks, UNESCO sites, and rural villages. 

Love Spanish Tourism's logo (see below), happy and energetic like Spain itself!  And yes, the tapas at Paripe were delicious!

More on the website here:

Spain Tourism

Sagrada Familia BBC update

Seville (Link to my blog post.)

Hotel Boutique Elvira Plaza rooftop, Seville, June 2025. Photo: AP

Changing Colours: Chanel 'Flame' & Tom Ford 'Getaway'

Chanel has long been my go-to for lip colour. I've remained faithful through all the ups and downs of discontinued shades, and the occasional disappointment at duty-free, but always returned. My current favourite this year has been Rouge Coco Flash in 'Flame' No. 164, $75.00.

But now I'm two-timing having discovered Tom Ford Soleil Lip Balm in 'Getaway', thanks to a David Jones and Qantas promotion, also featuring my favourite hair products, Aveda. The lip balm comes in five other shades: 'Escapist', 'Uninhibited', 'Jetset' , 'Rendezvous' and 'Isle', $70.00.

Tom Ford Getaway @ David Jones ©

Find Tom Ford, Chanel and see the colours here:

Tom Ford Getaway @ David Jones

Bespoke pieces from Hart Gold and Silversmiths

Hart Gold and Silversmiths, Guild of Handicrafts, Chipping Campden. Photo: AP

So beautiful. Some items in the workshop, individually created for collectors from original Arts & Crafts pattern books.

Wild & Inspired; ASTW Anthology

 

ASTW Anthology: ©ASTW

Thrilled to have a piece chosen for this milestone publication for the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW). It's a personal story on revisiting my home county of Devon, England, and Cornwall, first published in the beautiful Travel & Living,  I'm especially pleased because it's a personal piece rather than a destination promo. Thank you so much ASTW editors for including me in this illustrious company of writers. Humbled and proud.

Lucy Worsley on the burning issue of candles at Versailles

Image © Lucy Worsley

Filming a new series The Keys to the Castle, Lucy has written a fascinating Substack:

A brief history of candles by Lucy Worsley

Seville: An Unpremeditated Pleasure

Hotel Boutique Elvira Plaza rooftop, Seville. Photo: AP

We flew to Seville from the UK after Air India postponed our flight from Heathrow to Sydney in June. We decided to change plans, spend another few days in Europe and fly out from Madrid instead. Very last-minute, but why not? And what a treat it was. 

We chose to stay in the Santa Cruz district the old quarter near the cathedral, so we were prepared for many tourists. But the weather was warming up at the end of June, so tourists were less obvious and our little square with its orange trees was mostly deserted. We were a two-minute walk from the Giralda, the bell tower of Seville's massive cathedral, and the Real Alcazar, the oldest royal palace in Europe, featuring exotic architecture and gardens.

Giralda at dusk. Photo:AP

Real Alcazar gardens. Photo:AP

Real Alcazar. Photo: AP

Real Alcazar. Photo: AP

Real Alcazar. Photo: AP

Tapas Bars

We were spoilt for choice for tapas bars in the district – we didn't bother with reviews, just wandered and chose bars we liked the look of. Cafe-Bar Las Teresas, founded in 1870, was a stroll through the labyrinthine passageways from our hotel. It's a favourite for its history and dishes such as Iberican acorn- fed ham, Iberian black pudding, Galician-style octopus. The stylish Cafe Santa Cruz was just around the coner from our hotel, and Bar Estrella an eight minute walk. Ken likes Estrella Damm beer, so the latter was a given.

Las Teresas. Photo: AP

Las Teresas interior. Photo © Las Teresas

Flamenco

Looking for an intimate flamenco show rather than a grand production, we booked seats for a  performance in an atmospheric theatre space and were spellbound by the performance of a singer, guitarist, cajon box drummer and dancer. The cajon is a Peruvian box percussion instrument introduced to flamenco in the 1970s by guitarist  Paco de Lucia. ( I thought the musician was just, well, sitting on a box  until I realised he was playing it!)

El Aranol, flamenco performance space. Photo: AP

El Aranol flamenco. Photo (from video): Ken Martin

Afterwards we had simple tapas at a street bar – anchovies, Iberian ham, a glass of rose, and delicious goat cheese with honey and walnuts. 

Tapas, Seville. Photo: AP

Only day two of this year's visit to Spain and we were so happy to be there. Next stop? Aragon for Garnacha wine, and delightful surprises in Zaragoza.

Hotel Elvira Plaza

Cafe Bar Las Teresas 

El Aranol flamenco

Estrella Damm

Note: The pedestrian-only cobbled laneways were a challenging walk to the Hotel Boutique Elvira Plaza with our bags (packed voluminously for the flight to Sydney). The delightful member of staff who helped us to the taxi on the way back made it clear that we need not have struggled, we should have contacted them beforehand for help as taxis can't access the pedestrian Plaza Donna Elvira locality. 

Soft Sell for Antler's Hardshell

 
Sadly, luggage isn't something I replace very often despite my travels, but a mishap with a hardshell case recently has made me start looking.  It wasn't an Antler but having a soft spot for the brand, I was excited to come across these blue-grey and red-orange colourways and in the Black Friday sale, too.

Blue-Grey Photo ©Antler

Red-Orange Photo ©Antler

More information @ Antler